Christie Administration Awards $15 Million in Municipal Grants to Bolster Local Recycling Efforts

"New Jersey’s municipalities will receive more than $15 million in state recycling grants to help implement and enhance local recycling efforts, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin announced today," states a news release from the DEP.

"The funds, based on 2012 recycling data, are being awarded starting this week through the state’s Recycling Enhancement Act."

“'Recycling is not only important for our environment, it also provides economic benefits by saving our cities and towns money and by creating jobs,' said Commissioner Martin. 'I am proud to see the commitment to recycling demonstrated by our residents and local governments.’"

"The recycling grant program is funded by a $3 per ton surcharge on trash disposed of at solid waste facilities across the state. Distribution of grants this year is based on the recycling successes local governments demonstrated in 2012."

"In 2012, New Jersey generated more than 10.2 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW), more commonly known as trash or garbage, which is generated from homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. The DEP documented the recycling of more than 4.4 million tons of recyclable municipal wastes such as glass, aluminum and other metals, and paper."

"...Overall, nearly 20.2 million tons of solid waste (including construction debris and other types of non-MSW waste) were generated in New Jersey in 2012, of which 11 million tons were recycled. The overall waste generated and amount of materials recycled were impacted significantly by debris generated by Superstorm Sandy."